The final game of a long season saw Yarnbury U14s take a trip down the M1 to compete in the U14 Yorkshire Plate Final against Dinnington, at Dinningtons Lodge Lane home ground - due to a quirk of Yorkshire competitions rules, the team drawn at home had a the privilege of hosting the final.

This was to be a game of unknown quantities, with the two sides only other encounter being a one all draw in last year's Sandal 10’s tournament. However, both sides had played quality opposition in the previous rounds to reach this stage, so a cracking game of rugby was expected.

Adding to the unknowns, Yarnbury went into this game on the back of nearly a month without a competitive fixture, due to numerous cancellations and the Easter Holidays being in the way. However, the players had all committed to the additional training sessions with the positive attitudes asked for by the coaching team.

With a distinct slope in the Lodge Lane first team pitch from top right to bottom left corner, the toss could be all important - with the Yarnbury co-captain Dodgson forgetting that “tails never fails”, called heads and gave the options to Dinnington. Yarnbury were invited to play up the hill to start and take the kick-off.

From the kick-off Dinnington collected the highball and immediately hit their stride showing a hard carrying, short pass game which attacked the fringes of the ruck. Yarnbury defended resolutely but Dinnington worked their way down the field to score to the right side of the uprights within 4 minutes. Conversion missed.

Dinnington 5 Yarnbury 0

What came next was like deja vu with Dinnington again showing the strong home support why they were worthy finalists. Strong running, and quick aggressive rucking resulted in another try. Conversion missed. Ten minutes in, two tries down and Yarnbury had barely touched the ball.

Dinnington 10 Yarnbury 0

Some supportive words from the coaches from behind the sticks and Yarnbury again muster for another kick-off into Dinnington territory. With the kick high and hanging it gave plenty of time for Grubb to cover the ground and collect the ball under pressure. The resulting ruck gave instant ball for Walker to send another forward pod in. Walker to Ferguson, who then found Rice on a typical aggressive line charging to the corner. Dinnington managed to scramble but the support from Yarnbury was again quick. Now moving right to left, forwards and backs integrating and the Dinnington defence stretched, quick hands from Grubb to Broadbent saw the prop gallop in from 15 meters. Conversion missed.

Dinnington 10 Yarnbury 5

It was now Dinningtons turn from the centre spot and they opted to kick long and high, with Yarnbury knocking on to give the scrum advantage. With an overall bigger pack it was always going to be a tough day for the Yarnbury forwards and a penalty against them came for standing in the scrum. Kicking for territory Dinnington entered the Yarnbury 22 and more excellent recycling from the South Yorkshire side resulted in another try from close in. Conversion missed.

Dinnington 15 Yarnbury 5

Not letting their heads drop Yarnbury kept to their attacking structures, showing the skills and confidence to play expansive rugby. During one such sweeping move a long pass was intercepted by the Dinnington man-of-the-match (wearing 7) to sprint in from 60 meters with the cover defenders in his wake. Conversion missed.

Dinnington 20 Yarnbury 5

At this stage the score did not show how equally matched the game was becoming with the referee, to his credit, letting the game flow as much as possible. After a period of attack and counter-attack Dinnington managed to clear their lines with a kick into the Blue’s 22. Rawse-Gray called the resulting lineout, with quick ball finding Poor in the middle of the park. Showing a jink, strength and then hitting the afterburners Yarnbury had their own long distance run in to celebrate with 2 minutes to half time. Conversion successful, Dodgson.

Dinnington 20 Yarnbury 12

Sensing half time on the horizon Dinnington attacked the kick-off with the expectancy of it being the last play of the half. The ball was knocked loose in the tackle and carried forward by Dinnington. It was then Dinnington who lost the ball in contact with the loose ball picked up by Poor, who fed Schmidt on a bullocking run down the right wing, again supported by Neale who was brought down just inside the Dinnington 22. Showing composure under pressure and some slick handling Yarnbury worked the ball from right wing to left for Longbottom to score in the corner. Conversion missed.

Dinnington 20 Yarnbury 17

HALF TIME
With the game finely balanced both sides needed to make changes to their teams whilst the coaching staff tried to find the last few words of inspiration to send their charges into the second 25 minute period.

The second half starts with a Dinnington kick-off and Yarnbury now with the hill on their side. From the kick-off Dinnington competed in the air but fumbled the ball. Regathered by Yarnbury and in the ensuing maelstrom the ball found its way to Grubb in space to score under the sticks to give the Brownberrie Laners the lead for the first time in the game. Conversion successful, Dodgson

Dinnington 20 Yarnbury 24

The back and forth of an excellent match was now in full swing, with both sides taking it in turns to attack and then counter, and with penalties creeping in for each due to tiredness and a doggedness to win in equal measure. From one penalty, Dinnington played quick, managing to find the outside of the Yarnbury defensive line and a great individual effort saw Dinnington score in a very kickable position. Conversion successful.

Dinnington 27 Yarnbury 24

Moving into the final quarter the supporters on either side of the pitch were being the 16th player for their respective teams and the atmosphere is worthy of any final.

Strong, direct running from the Yarnbury forwards, coupled with a number of penalties against Dinnington allowed the visitors to gain substantial yardage both from boot and carrying. Attacking the Dinnington line, an infringement against them allows Walker to send in the forwards for another run and tie in the Dinnington pack close to their line. With the ball out of the ruck at pace the backs sucked in the defense before releasing Bridge to tiptoe down the touchline to score directly in the corner. Conversion missed.

Dinnington 27 Yarnbury 29

With the game on a knife edge, from the kick, Yarnbury went straight back on the attack with forwards and backs working as one unit, showing great composure to retain the ball. Subsequent line breaks from Grubb, Rice and Bridge took Yarnbury to within 10 meters. With penalty advantage the ball was again worked from one wing to the other for Poor to dot down his second try of the day. The conversion rattled the upright but ultimately was unsuccessful.

Dinnington 27 Yarnbury 34

The final minutes of the game were played entirely in the Yarnbury half with Dinnington pressing up the hill to try and gain parity. Yarnbury’s defense was creaking, with a number of penalties conceded allowing Dinnington to retain possession and move up the field. One too many penalties resulted in a team yellow and Yarnbury reduced to 14 for the final moments. Dinnington kick for touch and set up a driving maul from the line-out towards the Yarnbury line, which the forwards did well to repel, but end up giving another penalty for collapsing. Dinnington now choose to run the ball hard into the Yarnbury pack who managed to snaffle the turnover, before passing to the unexpecting Schmidt who managed to kick the ball clear, finding touch on the third bounce to bring the final whistle.

FULL TIME

This was a great final, played between two very good junior teams. Both played the game with the right spirit and were a credit to their clubs both during and after the game. Dinnington should also be thanked for their hospitality.

The Yarnbury faithful will remember the names of the players who represented the club with pride and passion and we will undoubtedly see a number of them in 1XV shirts in the years to come.

Tries:
O Broadbent, F Poor 2, Longbottom, Grubb, Bridge

Conversions:
Dodgson 2

Final Squad:

L Mackenzie, J Rawse-Gray, O Broadbent, B Gabriel, E Walsh, J Rice, G Carnochan, H Schmidt, A Walker, Z Ferguson (cc), J Neale, H Dodgson (cc), I Grubb, A Bailey, J Milner, O Best, A Dobson, B Padmore, H Longbottom, A Biddulph, L Bridge, F Poor, J Gundill (™)

Coaches:

C Carnochan, J Dodgson, P Gabriel, N Walker